ABs ‘bolters’ banging on door
Finding talented loose forwards won’t be an issue for All Blacks’ selectors Ian Foster, Grant Fox and John Plumtree ahead of their squad naming tomorrow evening.
They will announce up to 36 players to prepare for domestic tests against Tonga and Fiji next month, which will be followed by the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship fixtures.
The question of who must captain the team in the absence of injured openside flanker Sam Cane can be answered in a heartbeat — Sam Whitelock.
With Cane not returning until around October after surgery on a torn pectoral tendon in April, Whitelock is the logical candidate to lead the All Blacks.
Overlooked for the job when his mate Kieran Read retired following the 2019 World Cup, the 122-test veteran lock Whitelock has the maturity to guide the side in Cane’s absence.
More difficult decisions loom for the selectors.
In addition to finding another backrower to replace Cane, they must solve the riddle of who should replace wing Caleb Clarke, if he travels to the Tokyo Olympics with the national sevens squad. Selecting a replacement for midfielder Jack
Goodhue, who is recovering from a serious knee injury, is another task.
The midfield conundrum continued with confirmation yesterday that 49-cap Chiefs stalwart Anton Lienert-Brown has had minor keyhole surgery on an elbow and is set to miss the first test against Tonga.
Halfback TJ Perenara, who skipped Super Rugby to play in Japan, will also be unavailable for the July tests.
Retaining the Bledisloe Cup and beating the world champion Springboks, who the All Blacks haven’t played since their first World Cup pool game in Japan in 2019, could be enough to convince the NZ Rugby board to extend Foster’s contract through to the 2023 World Cup.
Developing fresh talent ahead of the global tournament in France is a must. The same could be said for 2021.
So here’s a lineup of potential fresh faces for tomorrow’s squad.
ETHAN BLACKADDER
The No 6 was a potent ball carrier for the Crusaders, and his defensive work was often accurate and menacing. With Shannon Frizell likely to miss the early tests in July because of an ankle injury, and Akira Ioane and Cullen Grace, who can play No 8 and blindside flanker, experiencing form fluctuations there is scope to ask Blackadder to make the step up. Luke Jacobson, who made two test appearances in 2019, but wasn’t required last season, was also in great form for the Chiefs at No 8. He deserves another shot.
TOM ROBINSON
Another backrower who impressed in Super Rugby.
The 1.98m Robinson could be a genuine lineout option at international level. The Blues blindside flanker may come across as a joker off the park, but can flick the switch when the time is right.
Coach Leon MacDonald’s decision to make him captain when Patrick Tuipulotu was injured has added to Robinson’s credentials.
Dalton Papalii could start at No 7 in the absence of Cane, which would allow Ardie Savea to stay at No 8. Robinson, Blackadder or Jacobson could be options to play at blindside, or provide cover off the bench.
DAVID HAVILI
Havili, who played three tests as a replacement outside back in
2017, could experience a second coming in the midfield. Goodhue is out for the year and Ngani Laumape has signed with Stade Francais. Havili would provide experience and versatility.
Crusaders team-mate Leicester Fainga’anuku, who can cover centre and wing, may also come under consideration.
FINLAY CHRISTIE
Blues No 9 Christie or Crusaders counterpart Mitchell Drummond could duke it out for the vacancy left by Perenara in the matches against Tonga and Fiji. Aaron Smith and Brad Weber deserve the top spots. If a third No 9 is required, Christie and
Super Rugby centurion Drummond offer crisp service and quick runs between rucks. The Highlanders Tongan-bornand-bred Folau Fakatava won’t play this year due to a major knee injury, and eligibility rules could prove an issue next year too.
JONA NAREKI
At 1.75m and 80kg, Nareki’s not a giant, but his neat footwork and acceleration could offer something fresh on the left wing. Like Nehe MilnerSkudder, who proved the perfect foil to the big, powerful Julian Savea on the other side of the park during the 2015 World Cup, the Highlanders’ Nareki can be elusive in the narrowest of channels.
Don’t forget Fainga’anuku, especially if Clarke is off to Tokyo. If not wanted in the midfield, he can be a handy addition on the edges.